TX DPS News

DPS Honors Heroic Actions at April PSC Meeting

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Public Safety Commission recognized multiple law enforcement officers and civilians at the April PSC meeting for heroic actions that saved lives. Honorees include Trooper Brody Telfer, who received multiple awards for his responses to incidents at Killeen Mall and Belton Lake; Officers Patrick Blair and Cary Spate; Lieutenant Robert Mallett; Corporal Dustin Henderson; Deputy Kayleah Trevino; Trooper Travis Alewine; Trooper Jeffrey Constant; Trooper Greg Hutchison; and several civilians including Fire Chief Sontos Chavez. The recognition covers incidents occurring between December 2024 and September 2025.

Texas DPS Announces Region Chief and Finance Assistant Chief Appointments

The Texas Department of Public Safety announced two leadership appointments confirmed by the Public Safety Commission at its April meeting. Billy Jack Mims was appointed Region Chief of the Central Texas Region, bringing experience from the Texas Ranger Division and Special Operations Group. Conrad Swan was appointed Assistant Chief of the Finance Division, with over 20 years of financial operations expertise across Texas government agencies. Both appointments are effective immediately.

Texas Rangers Seek Tips, 1997 Murder, $6k Reward

Texas DPS Texas Rangers are seeking public tips in the 1997 murder of 22-year-old Brent Alan Gutheinz in Grayson County. The reward for information leading to an arrest has been increased to $6,000 if received before the next featured cold case is announced. Gutheinz's body was found burned and mutilated along Squirrel Creek between Van Alstyne and Sherman on June 22, 1997. Investigators believe community members may have information about financial transactions or ties to Grayson County that could help identify those responsible.

Repeat Child Sex Predator, 39, Amarillo, $5k Reward

The Texas Department of Public Safety has added Christopher Domingo Carrillo, 39, of Amarillo, to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders List following multiple arrest warrants for failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements, indecency with a child by sexual contact, and sexual assault of a child. Texas Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to his arrest. Tips may be submitted by phone, web, or Facebook, and all tips are guaranteed anonymous.

8 New K-9 Teams Graduate, Deploy Across Texas

The Texas Department of Public Safety graduated eight new K-9 teams and two K-9 Tech Trainers who will deploy across Texas to support law enforcement operations including narcotics detection, explosives detection, and tracking. The teams completed a nine-week training program and include German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Labrador Retrievers and a Vizsla. DPS currently operates 101 K-9 personnel including 88 handlers.